And today we are launching the
2021 liftoff Houston startup
business Plan competition.
This marks the 9th year
for this wonderful program,
which has been a witch,
has awarded over $240,000 local
to local aspiring entrepreneurs to
help them make their dreams become
reality in a few few minutes you will
be hearing from OBO and the Houston
Public Library on how the city's
collaboration between Capital One
bank has helped so many Houstonians
start their own businesses by not
only awarding much needed capital.
But also by providing invaluable
and essential resources and skills
to get their businesses started
and making them successful.
Entrepreneurs should not miss
this opportunity to learn how to
create their own business plan.
Marketing basics how to acquire capital
funding and so much so much more.
I'm also looking forward to seeing
each contestant compete in pitch
day scheduled to take place during
National Entrepreneurship Month
at 10:00 AM on November the 6th.
At this culminating event,
three contestants per category will
get to pitch their business to a
set of VIP judges in one of the
competitors 3 business categories.
Innovation,
product and service and I cannot
wait to see what business ideas and
concepts this years our contestants
will bring to the table to help move
our economy and our city forward.
The application for this year's
competition opens today that is
today and Africans can visit
www.liftoffhouston.com to compete
complete their submission.
The submission deadline is at 2:00 PM.
On August the 2nd, 2021 and so,
make sure to Sign up today.
Now let me invite of the OBO
director Marsha Murray to speak
more on this fabulous program.
Director Murray.
Thank you, Mayor Turner.
As director of the Office
of Business Opportunity,
I'm happy to share the stage with you.
The Houston Public Library
and Capital One bank.
All of his share a strong commitment to
serve Houston small business community
and one of the ways we have done
that is through the liftoff Houston
startup business plan competition.
I'm also happy to be here with
past winners of Liftoff Houston,
thanks to the generosity of Capital
One bank each has received $10,000
in startup money after presenting
their business plans to our
panel of judges during pitch day.
These winners are testaments to the
impact of this competition as several
of our businesses have grown by leaps
and bounds since their started periods.
All of this could not be
possible without Capital One,
and we're sincerely appreciative of
their consistent support over the years,
the impact of liftoff Houston
goes far beyond pitch day.
It also helps create jobs and
strengthens our local economy.
I'd like to emphasize that liftoff Houston
is open to all aspiring entrepreneurs,
even those who do not meet
eligibility requirements to
compete for the $10,000 prize.
If you aspire to open your own
business but are not able to compete.
This program can still help you get there
through the programs educational pathway.
Anyone can access the business education
workshops provided by liftoff Houston.
Whether your business plan
is based on a product,
service or innovation,
these workshops will help you
master the fundamentals that will
take your company to success.
The general public can also be a
part of liftoff Houston by helping
us choose this year's winners back
by popular demand and for the 60
year is our fan favorite component.
Which allows everyone to vote there
for their favorite business plan
presentations during pitch day.
Almost five months of hard work
by our contestants culminates
on pitch day and witnessing.
This energy has always been
the most exciting part for me.
When the pandemic ushered in a new
normal of online meetings last year,
we saw an increase in participation
for our programs.
So all workshops were liftoff,
Houston's will be back in the
virtual format this year.
You won't have to travel or leave
the comfort of your office.
Mr Holmes to attend and there
is no time like the present to
turn in your application forms.
I truly look forward to meeting
this year's contestants and
learning about their stories,
business journeys and aspirations.
Houston is a beautiful diversity and an
exciting hub for innovation and creativity,
especially among small business owners.
So whether your idea is in retail and
merchandise, labor and consulting,
or in software and engineer,
we invite you to apply.
We'd also love to see businesses
in hospitality and tourism.
In health and fitness,
where education, finance,
technology and logistics,
the possibilities are truly endless.
Don't forget applications close at
2:00 PM on August 2nd and we encourage
you to apply to be a contestant
or to participate in the
educational pathway. Capital One
has been a key player in this program
and we are grateful for their commitment
to helping historians make their
small business dreams come true.
Let me now turn it over to Jim Nicholas.
The Houston market president and
commercial bank manager for Capital One.
Who is joining us virtually today?
Good afternoon Jim.
Thank you mayor.
Good afternoon everyone.
And thank you, Mayor Turner and
Doctor Larson, as well as Marsha.
I really appreciate your old
dedication to this program.
My name is Jim Nicholas and I'm the
Houston market president for Capital One.
We've been sponsoring the liftoff Houston
program since its inception nine years ago,
and we're excited to continue the exceptional
partnership with the City of Houston.
And the Houston Public Library.
The lift off Houston program
exemplifies Capital One's commitment
to bring about economic growth.
We are proud to support such a wonderful
program that's making an impact on local
aspiring entrepreneurs to help them
make their dreams become a reality.
And driving positive change to create
a more vibrant use soon for all of us.
Lastly,
we'd like to thank all the past
winners as well as all those that
are going to participate in the
program for the first time,
and we wish you all the best and success
on your future business opportunities.
I wish I could be there in person.
Thank you all very much.
Turning it back over to you.
Mayor
Turner. Thanks. Thanks Jim,
and let me thank you again and thank
the bank and you all have been with us
for nine consecutive years and it's
my hope that you all will continue
to be with us for another nine,
at least for the next two and a half.
While I'm there, you know.
Sounds great.
Maybe a little savage or that you know.
But we really appreciate
the support of the bank,
so thank you so very very much.
Now let me also invite Wendell
Matthews who is the 2020 product
category winner, to come up.
And Wendell is also.
Proud Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity
incorporated.
Brother, you know.
So when hey man yo Terry.
Hello, I stand before you
today because of the seed.
My Gran father planted within me,
Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt Walton
planted a seed cultivated by passion,
hard work and the willingness to help
others and through this plant growth
process I came into the vegetative stage.
It's a critical stage ensuring that
plant receives and nutrients to bloom.
Therefore I sacrificed time and energy.
I will work my 12 hour weekend night shift
job drive 25 minutes home and participate
in liftoff Houston on Saturday mornings.
Liftoff Houston provided those
nutrients through lesson plans,
QA sessions, advisory meetings,
and most importantly surrounding
me with like minded individuals.
These nutrients were vital for my
business because of liftoff Houston,
my business has bloomed.
Golden Bear men's grooming
provides the modern man simple,
natural and safe facial
hair care grooming products.
Our flagship product,
the Walton hydration spray,
named after my Gran Father,
effectively combats the physical
irritation and mental frustration
of growing and maintaining a
well manicured goatee or beard.
To combat the physical,
the Walton hydration spray has carefully
formulated to alleviate facial hair,
itch, facial hair,
acne,
skin irritation and ingrown hairs
using essential natural oils
and hydrosols the hydrosol koax.
As with the essential oils to better
absorb into the skin than typical water
or moisturizer that can clog the pores.
We also strive to eliminate the stress and
anxiety men typically face with beard,
itch and beard irritation by
consulting with aromatherapist
to strategically select essential
oils that reduce stress and anxiety
while promoting hair growth.
We believe that men are entitled to
enjoy the passion of growing a goatee
or beard without the typical pains
that go along with that journey.
And being able to grow a goatee or
beard allows men to free up mental
space and cultivate the necessary
confidence to snag A next promotion.
Ask a woman on a date.
Encourage entrepreneurs about liftoff
Houston or frankly be whoever
they desire to be?
I encourage all Houstonian entrepreneurs
to participate in liftoff Houston.
The city of Houston is providing unlimited
resources that cater to all industry,
Nichols Beauty and Wellness,
Technology, healthcare.
We're getting you back.
Oil and gas education.
Stay on scene the library.
So if you can just stand by.
Connections for us.
If you can meet other successful
historian hit.
Thank you.
Houstonian,
entrepreneurs to provide industry strategy,
mobility and accountability
from their support from the
Office of Business Opportunity,
the city is providing financial
support by partnering with
Capital One to achieve dreams.
All of this through liftoff Houston,
so as you can see,
I am just one seed who saw the nutrients
that city of Houston was offering.
I didn't hesitate,
I didn't waver, I didn't wonder.
I made up my mind that I was
going to absorb as much as I can,
and here I am today,
with the right foundation.